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On October 17th, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business & Economics Program’s EuroGrowth Initiative hosted the Spanish Minister of Economy and Business H.E. Nadia Calviño. The Minister’s remarks focused on Spain’s economic prospects and necessary reforms at the EU level. Ambassador C. Boyden Gray, co-chair of the EuroGrowth Initiative and former ambassador to the EU, opened the event with brief welcoming remarks.

Minister Calviño
began her remarks by addressing the current state of the Spanish economy. Spain’s
economy has averaged 2.5% growth for the last five years. Despite the global slowdown,
forecasts indicate that Spain will continue to grow and outperform its European
peers. The Minister attributed the expansion’s resilience to two key elements.
First, government has implemented reforms to restructure the domestic economy to
balance production. Secondly, the 2007 crisis forced Spanish businesses to
become more competitive, by being more nimble and diversifying their demand
portfolio.

The Spanish economy, however, continues to face imbalances which require immediate attention. Unemployment, especially structural unemployment and youth unemployment, remain high. High levels of public debt also pose threats to national expansion, slowing productivity growth and potential GDP growth. Since 2014, decreasing public debt has been a top priority, but progress has been slow. The 2007 crisis widened inequality gaps in multiple sectors, which need to be corrected to allow for sustainable growth.

According to
Calviño, the key to correcting these imbalances is increasing the economy’s potential
growth rate. Since her term began, she has introduced a three-pronged strategy
to target the rate of expansion. The strategy highlights fiscal discipline,
focusing on investment and social cohesion and targeting structural reforms. Financial
markets have already expressed growing confidence in the Spanish economy since
her government has implemented improvements. To support a continued expansion,
it is important to preserve this trust and continue to increase responsible
fiscal management.

The Minister
reflected on key factors dampening the global growth outlook including trade
tensions, difficulties in large emerging economies and Brexit. Minister Calviño
stressed the importance of avoiding an escalation of EU-US trade tensions. She
added that the EU is looking to reach a negotiated solution with respect to
WTO’s Boeing – Airbus ruling on illegal state subsidies. Calviño also commented
on Brexit, stating that the “prolongation of uncertainty is the materialization
of the risk. There is a common misconception that if there is a threat, but it
doesn’t occur, it means there is not damage. But the damage is done with the
threat. The uncertainty is clearly having a negative effect on global growth.”

These tensions
and uncertainties underscore the need for EU backstops to protect against future
crises. The Minister pointed out that the EU Commission has created a budgetary
instrument for convergence and competitiveness, a European deposits insurance
system has remained a top priority and von de Leyen has signaled that the
common unemployment insurance mechanism is among her top priorities. Calviño called
the steps important strides in the effort to safeguard the zone.

The Minister
closed with a reminder that global challenges must be tackled by a united front.
Countries should address key challenges, such as climate change, in a joint
effort rather than getting embroiled in conflicts with one another.

If you missed the event, you can watch the webcast below.

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